Car-coupling



(No Model.)

' D. WELLINGTON.

GAR COUPLING. No. 395,369.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DARIUS \VELLINGTON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,369, dated January 1, 1889.

Application filed January 9, 1888. fierial No. 260,132. (No model.)

Figure 1 represents a plan view ol? the improved car-coup] er, showing the ends of a pair of cars as coupled together. Fig. 2 re nrcsents a longitudii'ial section on the line A 13, shown in Fig 11. Fig. 3 represents a cross-section on the line O I), also shown in Fig. 1; and liig. 4e represents a side view of the coupler, shown as suspended from one of the draw-bars.

Similar letters refer to similar parts whereever they occur on the dilterent parts of the drawin u (t represent a pair of railmad-cars of any well-known construction, to each of which is connected or secured in a suitable manner a draw-bar, 7), having a head, 11, in its outer end, as shown. in the drawings.

Each draw-bar is provided with a pocket, 7), having a jl'laring end opening, U, as shown, the rear portion olf which is contracted in the form of inwardly-projecting lips I) U, for a purpose as will hereinafter be described.

The detachable coupler .ismade of wrought metal, and is composed of a bar, 0, having in its upper end a cross-piece, c, of sufficient size'to be readily intrmluced in the daring mouth-pieces or openings b If, said bar terminating in its ends as balls or projections.

c" 0', each one being of a size to permit its being readily introduced into the pocket I)" of the draw-bar head, and so that the lips I)" b shall serve as stops to prevent the ball or projection e" from being drawn horizontally out of the said pocket Z1 when the coupler is laid in the recessed drawbar heads, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. V

\Vhile count-wining the coupler to the drawbars it is held by the operator in a horizontal position, as shown by dottet'l lines in l ig. 3, and after the balls or projections e e" have i been introduced in the pockets Z) b" of the draw-bar heads the lower end of the bar or lever c is allowed to swing downward by its own gra\"ity to the vertical position shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

The bar or lever has another horizontal crosspiece,- 0, located on said lever c at a distance below the upper cross-piece, c, sufficiently to serve as a stop against the under side of the draw-bar heads, to prevent the upper cross-piece and its end projections from jumping out of the pockets 1) I)" while the cars are in motion. Said cross-piece c has its ends preferably provided with balls or projections 0 c similar in form and size to the upper projections, c c, as shown in the drawings, so that if the upper cross-piece, c, or any of its coupling projections should accidentally become broken the coupler can be reversed by placing the lower projections, c, in the pockets Z) Z)", and allowing the cross-piece c and its projections c" c" to hang downward. Below the lower erosspieee, (1 the arm or lever c is extended, to serve as a handle, a, of suitable length to enable the operator to easily manipulate the coupler without going between the cars. 'hen the cars are uncoupled, the coupler is suspended from and made to rest in the pocket of one of the draw-bar heads, as shown in Fig. 4.

\Vhen it is desired to couple a pair of cars together after the ends of their draw-bar heads have been brought nearly together, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the brakeman takes hold of the handle or extension e and holds the coupler in a horizontal position, and introduces the projections c" c" in the pockets 1') b, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, after which he lets go the handle 0 when the coupler will be connected to the draw-bar heads, and by its own gravity cause the lever o and its handle or extension 0 to swing into a perpendicular posi ion, as shown in Figs. 1, '2, and 3, in which position the coupler cannot be disconnected from the (lraw-bar heads, on. account of the lower cross-piece, c, as above set forth. To uncouple the device, it is only needed to swing the coupler into the horizontal position shown in dotted lines in, Fig. 3, when one or both ends of the cross-piece a maybe detached from the respective pockets on the draw-bar heads, as may be desired.

As a further security against the accidental uncoupling of the device, I inclose the draw bar heads by means of a wrought-metal, link, (Z, adapted to rest loosely on the draw bars back of the respective heads I) b, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3; but said link may, however, be dispensed with, if so desired, without departing from the essence of my invention. For the purpose of enabling said link (Z to be easily lifted away from the draw-bars, as may be desired, previous to uncoupling the cars, I make slotted perforations If 1/ through the draw-bars back of their heads I) b, as shown in Figs. 1. and 2, through which a suitable hook may be introduced from above for the purpose of lifting the link (Z away from the said draw-bars.

hat I wish to secure by Letters Patent, and claim, is

1. The draw bars I) I), having pocketed heads, as described, combined with the crosspiece 0 and end projections, c" c", thereon,

the arm or lever son said cross-piece, and the lower cross-piece, 0 adapted to serve as a stop against the under side of the draw-bars to prevent the accidental uncoupling of the device, as set forth.

2. The draw bars Z) I), having pocketed heads, as described, and the coupler composed of an arm or lever having one or more crosspiec'es and end projections adapted to rest in the pocketed draw-bar heads,-eon1bined with the safety-link (1, adapted to encompass the draw-bar heads, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 5th day of Jannary, A. D. 1888.

'DARIUS WELLINGTON.

\Vitnesses:

ALBAN ANDREN, HENRY CHADBOURN. 

